NEW ORLEANS — The best way to describe the New Orleans Saints 20-13 loss to the Houston Texans Sunday is one word -- gross.
The Saints somehow managed to outgain the Texans by 133 yards, have more first downs, and more time of possession, yet still only scored 13 points. It wasn't like the Saints turned the ball over a bunch of times to short-circuit their offense, it was just a maddening inability to score touchdowns once they got close to the Houston end zone.
The end zone the Saints offense is marching towards is officially the safest space on earth, as no one is allowed near it, especially anyone with a Fleur-de-lis on their helmet.
The Saints missed two field goals, had eight penalties, fumbled an interception right back to the Texans, and had no business winning the game and got exactly what they deserved. The thing that is most concerning and depressing about Sunday was Derek Carr played REALLY WELL. He threw for 353 yards behind a still mostly problematic and now severely injured offensive line, and the Saints still only scored 13 points.
The Carr we saw Sunday was the guy the Saints expected when they signed him to a $150 million contract, and it didn't change anything on offense since Dennis Allen has become the head coach.
Carr was tough, got rid of the ball quickly most of the day, and had some really good throws. The Saints' offense still looked like a clogged toilet.
The frustration on offense is starting to bubble to the surface. Both Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara spoke afterward about the Saints' preparation and lack of attention to detail. Derek Carr exited the field after the Saints' last possession screaming in frustration. You might've seen video of it on social media and thought he was yelling at Pete Carmichael Jr. about play calls, but it's not that. Carr is frustrated with receivers not doing what's expected of them in critical situations down the stretch.
"We as an offense had too many details, and you know I'm not going to tell you what happened. Yes, we know what it was, and I won't say it. There's little details, that if we just do those things right, oh my gosh we score 28 points."
Carr isn't going to name names to the media, your starting quarterback can't do that, but that man is getting fed up.
Alvin Kamara seemed tired of whatever it is that's happening during the week on offense too, “During this time, you can't do everything you want to do. It's a lot of sacrifice that goes into it, and to not be able to reap the reward of preparation, it's annoying. I don't like it. It's not a fun feeling."
We are probably one more 13-point offensive output from a good old-fashioned screaming match or fight between Saints players on the sideline. Sean Payton isn't around to police body language on the sideline anymore, so if this sad offense continues, just know the Saints' sideline could be more interesting during games than the play on the field.
If Saints leaders like Carr and Kamara's frustration about preparation wasn't enough bad news after another morbid offensive output, the Saints offensive line transitioned from bad and healthy to bad and injured against the Texans.
Dennis Allen attempted to shake up the offensive line by benching 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning and moving James Hurst from guard to left tackle and starting Max Garcia at guard. It lasted two series before Hurst injured his ankle and Penning was back in. Ryan Ramczyk left with a concussion in the fourth quarter, and we officially entered the darkest of dark comedies because guard Cesar Ruiz ended the game playing right tackle.
The Saints play on Thursday against the Jacksonville Jaguars and are likely to be down BOTH of the offensive tackles they want to start, and Andrus Peat is questionable because he hurt his groin late last week in practice. Good luck with that Dennis Allen. I’d suggest stopping doing all those deep passes and slow-developing plays unless you want Derek Carr’s sore right shoulder to break into a thousand pieces.
The Saints season is getting dragged into the abyss by an offensive line that’s fallen off a cliff. It’s all bad. No one is playing well and the inability to block people is dooming what should be a promising season.
The Saints are in the process of wasting a very good defense, a dream schedule filled with mediocre teams, and being in the worst division in football for the second year in a row.
In spite of what looks to be a debacle of an offensive line and an offensive system well past its expiration date, the Saints still are 3-3 and right in the middle of an NFC South filled with 3 tragically flawed teams and the winless Carolina Panthers.
Dennis Allen again proved Sunday he might be the best defensive coordinator in the NFL. Allen adjusted to the Texans 17-point first half and held Houston to just 3 points in the second half. Allen’s defense gave the Saints chance after chance to steal a game they had no business winning.
Allen showed Sunday he isn’t afraid to make drastic changes to the offensive line, is he willing to make even more radical changes to the offense to reverse the 2023 season falling apart?
+++Note: No Thursday preview column. My preview for Saints- Jags on Thursday is PAIN.
Ralph Malbrough is a contributing writer and Saints fan living in Houston. Email him at saintshappyhour@gmail.com, find him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter at @SaintsForecast or download the Saints Happy Hour Podcast.